3 specialty crop projects receive USDA grants
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Specialty crop research projects at Purdue University, Purdue Extension and Bloomington’s Slaughter Orchard and Cidery have received nearly half a million dollars in U.S. Department of Agriculture grants.
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program allotted $446,169 to the Indiana projects after undergoing a competitive scoring process to decide funding.
Purdue University is receiving $126,523 to collect honey samples that will be used to develop a honey quality testing tool. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture said such a tool could be used to promote Indiana’s honey crop by allowing producers to ensure the quality of their honey.
Purdue Extension will use a $155,966 grant to develop a food safety program for small fruit and vegetable growers. Slaughter Farms will receive $163,680 to create a plan to demonstrate how ground-harvested apples can be safely harvested to make hard ciders.
“This funding from USDA is critical to advancing our specialty crop sector, and each year many different research areas are supported,” said Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, in a news release. “Everything from improving food safety, expanding the honey market and harvesting and processing ground apples, these awards will go far in enhancing our Hoosier specialty crop industry.”
The recipients have a three-year project term and were selected for their ability to impact the larger industry.